"A line in the Sand": The recent IPCC Report calls for Action

Released on the 8th of October, the world's leading climate scientists are warning that there are only 12 years left for us to take urgent action in order to keep global warming to a maximum of 1.5ºC.

"One of the key messages that comes out very strongly from this report is that we are already seeing the consequences of 1°C of global warming through more extreme weather, rising sea levels and diminishing Arctic sea ice, among other changes," said Panmao Zhai, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group.

The IPCC report highlights a number of climate change impacts that could be avoided by limiting global warming to 1.5ºC compared to 2ºC, or more.

“Every extra bit of warming matters, especially since warming of 1.5ºC or higher increases the risk associated with long-lasting or irreversible changes, such as the loss of some ecosystems,” said Hans-Otto Pörtner, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group II.

The report also examines pathways available to limit warming to 1.5ºC, what it would take to achieve them and what the consequences could be.